Know something we don't about Sonic? Don't hesitate in signing up today! It's fast, free, and easy, and you will get a wealth of new abilities, and it also hides your IP address from public view. We are in need of content, and everyone has something to contribute!
The Orbinauts are a group that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. They are a group of sea urchin-based[1]Badniks created by Dr. Eggman which have appeared as enemies of Sonic and his allies on multiple occasions.
Orbinauts are based upon sea urchins (uni in Japanese), which usually posses different colors of metal orbs which are able to hover in the air. This Badnik's signature weapon are four spiked balls that ring around them. Some Orbinauts throw their spiked orbs at their enemies, which is usually their only method of attack. However, this is also their major weakness; as once all four spiked balls have been thrown, the hovering Orbinaut is completely defenseless.
However, some Orbinauts do not throw their spiked balls, but instead keep moving forward and keep ringing their spiked balls to keep their defense. It is usually impossible to defeat these types of Orbinauts without getting hit, so it is good to avoid them and simply keep moving forward. A few Orbinauts also utilize their spiked balls for different methods to stop the player.
A blue variant of Orbinaut called Unidasu[2] (ウニダス[3],Unidasu?) that first appeared in the original Sonic the Hedgehog. This variation can throw their spiked balls at an enemy when spotting one. While the Unidasu received a slight redesign in Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2, the Badnik has regained its original design in their recent appearances, such as Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I and Sonic Lost World.
A green variant of Orbinaut called Uni Uni[2] (ウニ ウニ[3],Uni Uni?) that keeps their spiked balls around themselves for defense. Unlike the previous model, it can only be defeated while the player is invincible or if their jump is timed very carefully. Like the Unidasu, the Uni Uni first appeared in the original Sonic the Hedgehog, and has since been one of the more recurring variant of the Orbinaut series.
A metallic gray variant simply named Orbinaut[4] (ポーラ,Pōra?, lit. "Pola") that first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. This model keeps the spiked balls around it for defense, and only moves when the player moves. It can only be defeated while the player is invincible or with a well-timed Insta-Shield.
A red variant of the Orbinaut called Gohla[5] (ゴーラ[6],Gōra?) that has fireballs orbiting it instead of spiked balls. It first appears in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and has become one of the most recurring offshoots of the Orbinaut series, along with Unidasu and Uni Uni. It received a slight redesign in Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2, but they were given back their original design in Sonic Lost World.
Another variant called Star Pointer[4] (アイスダス,Aisudasu?, lit. "Icedus") appears in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Instead of regular spiked balls, it has balls made of ice orbiting its body, which it can throw at enemies. Unlike the projectiles from other Orbinaut varieties, the ice balls will disintegrate when making contact with a Thunder Shield, or when blocked with an Insta-Shield.
A boss variant of the Star Pointer called Big Icedus[7] (ビッグアイスダス[8],Biggu Aisudasu?) appears as the mid-boss of IceCap Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 3. While the Big Icedus does not resemble the Star Pointer, it shares many of the same attack patterns as them.
A variant named Flamer (ボーラ,Bohla?) appears in Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II. They are colored yellow and grey with four orbiting flamethrowers, which they can use to temporarily ignite fire in oily landscapes.
The unnamed Desert Ruins Badnik is a variant that appears in the Nintendo 3DSversion of Sonic Lost World. These Orbinaut variants are surrounded by tornadoes that damage those who are attacking them.
An orange variant named Tubinaut appears in Sonic Mania and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus. These Orbinaut variants have three sphere-shaped satellites orbiting them that they spin around at such speed that they form a damage-inducing barrier around them. These satellites can also repel those attacking them, although that will also destroy them as well.
A more damaged variant of the Tubinaut named Zombie Orbinaut appears in Sonic Mania and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus. It is a severely damaged Badnik comprised of a Tubinaut body and Rattlekiller segments that it uses for their protection. These Badniks are usually summoned by the Big Squeeze, where they fly towards the player in an attempt to damage them. However, the player can destroy the Zombie Orbinauts to help hit the Big Squeeze more easily.
Unnamed cactus Orbinaut variant[]
A cactus variant of Orbinaut appears in Sonic Mania and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus. This Orbinaut variant is indestructible and its only purpose as the counterweight of the seesaw.
In the Sonic the Comic series published by Fleetway Editions, the Orbinauts are a part of Dr. Robotnik's Badnik army and are among the first generation of Badniks the doctor produced. Depending on the artist, the Orbinauts' design or coloration would be slightly different between each issue.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the Orbinauts were among the first generation of Badniks produced by Dr. Robotnik. Over time though, the Orbinauts were rendered obsolete by more advanced robots and got decommissioned. Following the events of Worlds Collide, the Orbinauts' history became nearly identical to that of their game counterparts.
Unlike in the games, there has never been made any distinctions between the different types of Orbinauts in the comics. Also, these Orbinauts have also demonstrated the ability to shoot spikes from their spike balls, and are sometimes drawn with mouths.
IDW Publishing[]
This section requires an expansion.
Trivia[]
The Orbinauts are one of the only series of Badniks to not be humanoid-like in design.
Despite being two different Badniks, the Unidasus and Uni Unis from the original Sonic the Hedgehog are simply referred to as Orbinauts in most media where they are featured together (especially earlier on in the series).
